The best way to prevent your child from becoming the victim of a cyber bully is to educate her on the strategies that cyber bullies use to attack their victims. Explain the similarities and differences of cyber bullying and traditional bullying. And discuss what she needs to do if she believes she is being targeted by a cyber bully.

It is important to reassure your child that you won't restrict her Internet use as a result of a bullying incident, but that you do need to be aware of it so you can help. Tell her if she hides it from you, then you will have to restrict her online use, as she will have proven that she isn't mature enough to go online.

Early intervention is key, as it can often prevent an escalation in the bullying behavior. As with traditional bullying, do not hesitate to intervene and get help for your child. No child deserves to be bullied, in person or online. Tell your child that if she is aware of another child (or a friend) being bullied online, she should let you know. Explain to her that by witnessing the online bullying and not reporting it, she is guilty of wrongdoing. Let her know that you want her to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Work with your child as she matures to help her understand the permanent nature of an online reputation. Explain to her that a photo of her drinking (when she's underage) at a party or engaging in other unlawful activities will be accessible online forever. Stress the importance of proper online behavior and conduct.

Teach your child how to handle hurtful communications. Tell her it is okay to ignore them, but not to delete them. Tell her to be sure to always do the five following things if she has been the victim of cyber bullying.

Save the Communications

Save e-mails, IMs, text messages, and records of chat-room or community discussions, and print out web pages. This will give you proof should you need it in the future.

Try to Identify the Cyber Bully

It can be hard (and occasionally impossible) to track down the identity of your child's cyber bully. If the communication is an email, ask your ISP (internet service provider) to identify the source of the e-mail. If that doesn't work, contact a company that specializes in finding such information. If a crime has been committed, the police may be able to track down the offender. And, if you plan to file a lawsuit, an attorney might have access to those avenues as well.

Ignore the Communications

If the cyber bully gets no response, he may give up and move on to the next victim.

Tell the Offender to Stop

Clearly and firmly tell the cyber bully to cease and desist. Inform the bully that you have reported the incident to the police and that they will investigate. Change your child's e-mail address or block the bully's communications and instruct your child to avoid visiting any sites where she has been attacked.

Report the Attack

Kids who cyber bully or harass other kids are usually in violation of the company policies of most phone companies, ISPs, and web-sites. Look for the “Contact Us” information for the company who provides your service and follow the steps to file a complaint. If the school computers are involved, file a complaint with the school. If the bullying is severe or threatening, file a police report.